Cycle NC

RALEIGH, North Carolina, February 2, 2017 – Wit Tuttell, the Executive Director of Visit NC, announced the 2017 Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Route with the help of town representatives in a pre-recorded video released at the Cycle North Carolina Route Announcement Party, held at Crank Arm Brewing in downtown Raleigh on February 1.

The nineteenth annual ride is scheduled for a Jefferson to Swansboro route, from September 30 to October 7, 2017. With beautiful tourist stops along scenic back roads, the “Mountains to Coast” trek is the highlight of the year for many cyclists from across the nation.

Cycle North Carolina will begin its full-service, cross-state ride on September 30th at Family Central Park in Jefferson, and will arrive Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro on September 7th, with 1,100 bicyclists expected to participate. Over the course of the week, riders will bike an average of 60 miles per day. Additional overnight stays are planned for the towns of Elkin, Oak Ridge, Chapel Hill, Knightdale, Wilson and Kinston.

The Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Tour is the state’s only cross-state, fully-supported ride created in 1999 with the N.C. Division of Tourism, Capital Broadcasting Company, the N.C. Department of Transportation and North Carolina Amateur Sports as founding partners. Cycle North Carolina was developed to promote North Carolina’s scenic beauty, heritage tourism, visitor attractions, historic sites, state parks, fitness, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of bicycling to individuals and our state. During the past 18 years, Cycle North Carolina has stopped overnight in more than 100 North Carolina towns and visited nearly 700 North Carolina communities.

Registration brochures are available and online registration is open at www.cyclenorthcarolina.org. Cycle North Carolina will be capping registration at 1,100 riders, so interested riders are encouraged to register early, to avoid missing out on the highlight of the year for bicycling in North Carolina.

In addition to the “Mountains to Coast” Tour, Cycle North Carolina will host the Coastal Ride in Oriental, NC, April 28-30, 2017. Cycle North Carolina will also host its fourth annual Mountain Ride in Bryson City, NC, August 5-6, 2017. Registration for the Coastal Ride is sold out, but registration for the Mountain Ride is open at www.cyclenorthcarolina.org.

Cycle North Carolina is presented by Visit North Carolina. Partner organizations of Cycle North Carolina include: Powerade, Capitol Broadcasting Company, Lowes Foods, the N.C. Department of Transportation and Cycling Spoken Here.
North Carolina Amateur Sports is a 501c(3) nonprofit charitable organization that annually organizes the Powerade State Games of North Carolina and Cycle North Carolina. NCAS is dedicated to the promotion of the spirit of amateur sports, physical fitness and health to all ages and skill levels through the participation in organized events which enrich the state of North Carolina. For more information on NCAS and its events, please access www.ncsports.org.

Understanding that education is the pathway to success, the mission of the Knightdale Education Festival is to connect community members with local non-profits, educational, wellness and cultural arts opportunities they may not otherwise be exposed to. This collaborative effort of community partners plays an important role in strengthening the educational component in Knightdale and Eastern Wake County.

A special thanks to key partners, education partners, community partners, sponsors, performers & attendees for making the Knightdale Education Festival a success.

S.T.E.A.M.

This year, K-Fest will focus on the elements of S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math). Vendors will provide interactive activities for participants to have an enriched festival experience. S.T.E.A.M. is a “movement championed by Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and widely adopted by institutions, corporations and individuals.” Click here for more information on S.T.E.A.M.

2017 Participation Info

REGISTRATION FORM (fillable form)Submission of registration form does not guarantee festival participation. All registrations are subject to staff approval. There are no fees associated with vendor participation.

If your community has become one of those sleepy little towns you’ve read about with little to no interaction between residents, it might be time to ignite passion in your neighborhood by engaging residents in community activities.

Your community is not the first to suffer from a case of the small town blues. To revitalize a community, residents and businesses must actively engage in planned events and work hard to turn inactivity into energetic synergy.But, where do communities begin?

Start by determining the cause of your community’s apathy. Is there a lack of leadership willing to initiate activities or are the do’ers burnt out? Is your community floundering due to a changing economy, lack of educational opportunities and limited employment options?

Whatever the challenges, every community has concerns and hobbies they share in common.Raising families, caring for aging relatives, cooking, gardening, decorating, caring for pets and earning and saving money are interests neighbors commonly share.Finding a way to cash in on shared interests can be the catalyst for change in your neighborhood.

Take the lead and develop a community events group with the goal of energizing and uniting your community.Encourage members to believe in their ability to develop plans and make changes.To retain time-challenged members, make it convenient to corroborate on projects online as well as in person and show appreciation for their efforts.

Communities hard hit by economic changes and job loss may be encouraged to interact by focusing on events where residents earn supplemental income, develop skills, market their talents and connect with community resources.Look to other communities’ successes and ideas for linking neighbor-to-neighbor by hosting fun and entertaining community events.
Ice cream socials are a fun way to meet your neighbors while raising funds for local causes such as veteran housing, local food banks, school supplies, home-delivered meals for shut-ins and community improvement funds.Offer simple yard games with prizes, neighborhood clowns, colorful signage, bottled water, lemonade, balloons, t-shirts and, of course, ice cream with all the toppings to attract support for your local cause.

Hosted community swap nights teach neighbors to support each other locally by gathering to buy, sell, swap and barter for needed goods and services while decluttering their homes.Ideas for swap items include furniture, car parts, appliances, household goods, elder care services, pet grooming, ride-share opportunities, music CDs and DVDs, toys, clothing, sporting goods, tools and more.

Annual pumpkin carving contests offer crafters, local businesses and community centers a venue for earning extra income while celebrating the talents of local youngsters and adults alike.Age categories might include seniors to toddlers with residents voting by ballot for their favorite carvings in each age group. Prizes for the best pumpkin are announced with pumpkins and winner’s names put on the community display.

Pet owners love their dogs.Celebrate the love in your neighborhood by hosting an event similar to Nashville’s Dog Day Festival. The festival includes a 5K run or walks complete with puppy parades, portraits, pet adoptions, Fido-related arts and crafts, obedience classes, pet fun zones and obstacle courses. Contests are held for the cutest and most talented pooch with experts available to answer questions related to dog training, nutrition, grooming and first aid.Funds raised may be donated to local causes and charities of your choice.

These fun ideas are easy to pull off and will create a buzz in your neighborhood while offering opportunities for neighbors to interact and work together towards community goals.More importantly, residents will begin to feel they are part of a community that cares and, in turn, will start caring for their community.

A problem neighbor can be a huge aggravation, and that aggravation can continue as long as you live at that location. The problem might involve excessive noise, annoying pets, troublesome children, or property-line transgressions.

While it is not possible to satisfactorily resolve all neighborhood disputes, there are certain steps you can take to reduce or alleviate such squabbles. Here are seven tips for dealing with a problem neighbor.

Make an effort to get to know all your neighbors. This is something you should do before any problems develop. From the moment you move into a house, you should consciously work to develop at least a minimal relationship with each of your neighbors. This can consist of as little as a smile or a nod, or as much as an invitation to a backyard barbeque. If you do this, you’ll have a basis for discussing and amicably resolving any problem that arises.

Take a deep breath before you complain. Whether the problem is a raucous party, a barking dog, or some other annoyance, don’t respond aggressively or with intense anger. Instead, wait until you’re calm and then take action.

Try talking. Unless there is a history of unresolved problems and enmity with the particular neighbor, the first step is always to talk to them. Approach the neighbor calmly and respectfully, and explain your concerns. Avoid escalating the problem at this stage. If the neighbor’s response is not helpful, simply end the conversation politely and return to your home. If their response is constructive, try to find common ground and then agree to a resolution.

If you think the neighbor’s conduct might contravene municipal ordinances, do research. Rules on noise and other matters vary from city to city. Do your homework to determine whether there is a legal basis for your complaint in your own city.

Document the dispute. If the problem is not resolved in your initial conversation with the neighbor (step 3 above), start writing an account of the dispute. Include dates, times, summaries of conversations, and other pertinent information. If the matter is eventually reported to the police or otherwise becomes the basis of a legal dispute, this documentation will be invaluable.

Call police. If the problem continues and the neighbor shows no willingness to resolve it, and your research indicates a local law may have been broken, call police. Be aware, however, that the police are usually reluctant to get involved in neighbor disputes unless the disagreement escalates to violence or vandalism.

Hire a lawyer. If all else fails, and you believe your neighbor has violated municipal ordinances, you can hire a lawyer. The lawyer will then launch a legal action. This is definitely the last resort. Even if you win some sort of victory in court, your victory is not completely satisfying – because you must continue to live beside the neighbor who was defeatet, and who is probably quite angry about that!

Disputes between neighbors can become quite unsettling. The transgression is usually not serious; most neighborhood disputes don’t involve murder or armed robbery. However, the proximity of the other party can result in elevated antagonism. The best advice is precautionary: strive to maintain good relations with those who live nearby.

Bright and breezy are the new spring and summer themes of home décor. Colors and furnishings have an airy quality, encouraging an ambiance of life and oxygen. If you’re about to decorate your home, think pure ozone, greenery, and freshness, and you can’t go wrong. Not your style? Don’t fret, there’s also a vintage theme, incorporating the idea of making use of furniture handed down through the family.

Picture your home filled with reflective, sky-like surfaces, along with muted gray and azure blue. Imagine inhaling clarity, and you’ll know your mind is on track to one of the latest décor trends. Shiny, mirrored surfaces, and low-key cloud colored furnishings imbue the atmosphere with freshness.

Greenery is another hot trend for the coming seasons. Colors are inspired by nature and evoke vitality. Moss and olive green are popular paint color choices. You don’t have to revamp your entire home to be on trend, though, as you could simply add luscious green splashback tiles in your kitchen, and lime green cushions and throws in living rooms.

If you prefer a touch of spring and summer warmth, mustard yellow is considered stylish when teamed with subdued brown leather or wooden surfaces. Also, you can happily get any recycled ornamentation and furniture back out of the loft and put it on display. Making use of what you have is hip now. Prefer a dash more heat as a color scheme? Flame orange is emerging as a must-have color for those who feel daring.

Whether you want to breathe in the brilliance of a clear day or lounge among the vivacity of nature, there are plenty of new ideas to incorporate into your home. Likewise, you can decorate with grannies old furniture and warm tones to be on trend.

One of the main goals of many newly married couples is to find a new home to share and start a family. However, because buying a house together is going to be one of the biggest purchases they ever make, it’s important they don’t rush into the homebuying process too quickly. If you and your new spouse are looking to buy a home, then be sure to follow these steps:

Determine what you can afford

One of the biggest mistakes newly married couples make is to overestimate what they can afford. Don’t assume you can simply add what you and your spouse make together, and use that figure to determine your budget. You need to sit down with your spouse in order to identify not only what you make, but also what debts each of you has. You may even not be aware of your spouse’s debt, and vice versa. Go over each other’s credit card debt, student loan debt and other financial obligations to get a better idea of where you stand financially as a couple.It’s also important that you take into account all of the costs associated with owning a home, besides just the monthly mortgage rates. This includes utility costs, property tax, HOA fees, homeowner’s insurance, maintenance fees and possible repair work. First-time homebuyers often neglect to consider these costs, which can lead to serious financial trouble down the road.

Go over both credit reports

In addition to going over one another’s debts and income, you should also obtain a credit report for both you and your spouse. If one of you has an excellent credit score but the other has a poor credit score, that poor credit score could hinder your ability to qualify for a mortgage. Even if you do, you may not qualify for the best terms. Before you even meet with a lender, you should begin working on improving both credit scores. You can do this by checking for errors in the credit reports, paying off debts and paying down credit cards.

Improving your credit scores may require some patience for newly married couples who want to start their lives off in a brand-new home; however, it’s worth waiting until your credit scores are in good shape so that you can qualify for lower interest rates and better terms. You don’t want to be paying thousands of dollars more in interest over the course of 30 years just because you couldn’t wait a little longer to buy a house.

Save money

Even if your credit scores are good, you may want to hold off on buying a house until you’ve saved some money. If possible, you should save enough to put a 20 percent down payment on a new home. If you can’t put down 20 percent or more, then you’ll end up having to pay mortgage insurance every month, which is an additional financial burden you won’t want. Additionally, you’ll want to have some money left in savings to pay for financial emergencies that might come up. Moving into a new home without a cent to your name is never a good idea.

Obtain a mortgage pre-approval

If you and your spouse have money in savings, and your credit scores are in good shape, then you’ll want to go get pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin your search for a new home. Not only does a mortgage pre-approval ensure that you will be able to qualify (thereby avoiding wasting your time looking at houses if you don’t), but it will give you a good idea of how much you’ll qualify for, which gives you a budget to work with. Keep in mind that even if you qualify for a large amount, it doesn’t mean that you have to buy a house that costs that much. Your budget can be less than the amount you’ve qualified for.

Put together a wants and needs list

After you’ve obtained a mortgage pre-approval, sit down with your spouse and go over what you want from your new house. Many couples assume that they are on the same page, which leads to a lot of arguments over the course of the house hunt. There’s no point in wasting your time looking at houses if it doesn’t meet all of your needs, after all. Sit down and prioritize your wants and your needs so that you’ll be on the same page when looking at houses and so that it will be easier to make compromises if it comes to that.

Speak with a real estate agent

A real estate agent will find listings based on your wants and needs while keeping your budget in mind. In addition to identifying houses that are for sale in the area you are looking, they can tell you if your list of wants and needs is realistic for the budget you have, help you identify good deals and bad deals, help schedule showings and help with the negotiations. Not only can a real estate agent help you find a home, they can help you save time and money.

Compare lenders

Just because you got a mortgage pre-approval from one lender doesn’t mean you have to use them for your actual mortgage. Go to several different lenders once you’ve found a home that you’re interested in and compare the terms that they offer. You can always fall back on the original lender who pre-approved your mortgage, but you may find someone that offers better terms, which could end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.Couples who are recently wed are often excited to get on with their new life together. However, when it comes to buying a house, it’s important to take a step back instead of rushing headlong into a home purchase. Take your time and follow these steps to ensure that you end up in a house that meets both your needs at a cost that you can actually afford.

You have worked hard, sacrificed, saved your money and now you are ready to buy a home. There are so many factors to consider and tough decisions to make. The whole idea of buying a home is exhilarating and sometimes daunting at the same time. One of the critical decisions you will have to make is whether to buy an older home in an established community or new construction in an up and coming area. There are pros and cons to each, of course. In the end, your decision may come down to personal taste. While you are thinking it over, consider a few of these undeniable advantages inherent in a newly-constructed home..

Contemporary Floor Plans

Today’s buyers are almost unanimous in their desire to live in homes with “open concept” floor plans and they are more than willing to grab a sledgehammer and knock down walls to achieve the open look and feel. Assuming they are not load-bearing, knocking down walls is fairly cheap and a great way to let off a little steam.The expenses start rising quickly, however, when you go to refinish the space and pull it all together visually with matching materials.With new construction, this will not be a problem.Almost all builders today are constructing new homes in line with modern sensibilities and preferences.That equates to open spaces with tons of natural light and combined great rooms/kitchens that allow for comfortable entertaining and the ability to keep a watchful eye on children while preparing meals.

A Blank Slate for Your Vision

A newly-built home allows you to summon your inner decorator and go to work in decorating the home of your dreams. With new construction, there is no need to spend endless hours tearing off old wallpaper, ripping up wall-to-wall carpeting and wondering when you will ever get enough money together for updated kitchens and bathrooms. What the average price of a simple kitchen remodel in North Carolina is over $20,000, and bathrooms run at least $10,000.It takes most homeowners years to put together this much extra money.Why not start your life as an owner with brand new kitchens and bathrooms that will look good for decades?Save your money for the finishing touches that will help make your house a home.

Cost-Saving Energy Efficiency

There is simply no comparing the built-in energy efficiency in new homes vs. older homes. Even a house built in the 1990s or early 2000s cannot stand up to the energy-efficient features in today’s new construction.Much older homes often cost a small fortune to heat and cool.In new construction, everything from appliances to windows, insulation, roofs, HVAC systems, and lighting take advantage of the latest technologies to create energy-efficient homes with reduced utility expenses.

Low Maintenance

New construction shines, glistens and gleams and comes packaged in a pretty new bow. Older homes come with an extensive list of deferred maintenance items in need of attention.Seemingly minor repair and maintenance tasks often unearth hidden problems inherent in an aging structure and, before you know it, your dream home has morphed into a big money pit.If you prefer to hold onto your money and spend your free time with family and friends pursuing other activities and interests, then new construction might be your best bet.

Home Owner Warranty Programs

What is a homeowner to do if that beautiful home you bought is springing leaks every time it rains? If you purchased an older home, you probably took title to the property “as is” which means you have no recourse and better figure out a way to pay for a new roof – and soon. Owners of new construction have protection against defects in workmanship and materials through Home Owner Warranty Programs paid for by the builder. They also have the peace of mind that comes in having that protection.

Older homes can be charming and a welcome challenge for a buyer who can handle the added expense and responsibility of owning an older home. If you are not that person or lack the cash reserves, resources, talent, and motivation to become that person, consider the advantages of buying new construction and take the first steps toward a stress-free, low-maintenance lifestyle that will leave you with the extra time and money to pursue all your dreams.

Whether you are buying your first home or a vacation house, you must have cash on hand to make the purchase or finance the deal through a home loan. Most home buyers obtain a first or second mortgage to cover this type of expense. You might wonder how you to qualify for such a large loan, especially if you don’t have the financial means to make the purchase in the first place. Here’s a look at the key factors you need to know about securing a mortgage for your home purchase.

Putting up Collateral

Borrowers must provide collateral in order to obtain a mortgage. It provides security for the lenders offering to loan money through a loan. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can seize the collateral to recoup his financial loss.

What Can You Use as Collateral?

Lenders accept several items as collateral against a home loan, including:

Value of the land, home, and accompanying outbuildings, such as pool cabanas, sheds, and in-law suites

Home equity created by your down payment

Personal savings in the form of bonds, stocks, and retirement accounts

Expensive possessions such as antiques and jewelry

Additional Factors Affecting Your Ability to Get a Loan

In addition to putting up collateral, borrowers must be able to show a steady source of income, such as employment, validating their ability to pay back the debt. They should also have a good-to-excellent credit score.

Acquiring a home is an exciting yet stressful process from beginning to end. From running around to look at dozens of homes to the need to find the money to purchase it with, home buyers are faced with a wide variety of necessary tasks. Fortunately, securing the loan is one of the simpler tasks, particularly if you have good credit, a job, and personal savings.

With the overwhelming popularity of the same eventslast Fall, when they expanded to serving both dinner and lunch, Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays return to Knightdale Station Park starting on Thursday, April 6, with a variety of tastes available each week .

Building on the initial success of the once weekly events held at Knightdale Station in its first go around, in the Spring 0f 2016, the Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays expanded to have trucks both during lunch hours and a completely different truck on site for dinner hours. With the great response from members of the community in both the Spring and Fall 2016 seasons, Knightdale Food Truck Thursdays, will keep this same schedule for 2017,with the lunch hours each week being from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and the dinner hours will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

The schedule for the Knightdale Fall Food Truck Thursdays will feature:

On Saturday, April 8…at the Station, the always fun, traditional Knightdale Holiday Events calendar moves into the Spring, bringing family members young and old, as well as the pets of the community together for a great time for all ages, this when Knightdale Station Park will play host to Paws in the Park and Easter Eggstraordinaire.

Hosted by the Knightdale Parks and Recreation Department, the Easter Eggstraordinaire has become an annual tradition among Knightdale Holiday events, that takes place on the Saturday prior to Good Friday each year. This fun filled day of Easter-themed activities for the kids will offer up egg hunts for three different groups, with the age ranges being from 0-3 years, 4-5 year olds, and also 6-8 year olds.

The egg hunts as part of the Knightdale NC Events this Saturday will take place in the beautiful grassy area near Knightdale Station Park Amphitheatre and signs will be up to help direct each age group to their respective areas. In addition to the egg hunt, there will also be an appearance by the Easter Bunny for photo ops as well as many other activities and music for the entire family to enjoy throughout the festivities. The Easter Eggstraordinaire will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the egg hunts starting at 11:00.

New to this years’ Easter-themed Knightdale Holiday Events will be an area that East Wake Community Church is hosting specifically for special needs children to enjoy the day, and serving up an entirely different type of “dog” than the ‘Paws in the Park’ event, Radiant Church will be on hand serving up 1,500 free hot dogs.

The children will not be the only members of the family enjoying the Knightdale Holiday Events this Saturday, as “Paws in the Park” will also be taking place, giving your pets a “day for the dogs.” “Paws in the Park” will kick off at 9:30 a.m. at the Ashley Wilder Dog Park at Knightdale Station Park and the first 120 dogs registered will receive both a Frisbee and a goody bag filled with treats. All dogs must be kept on a leash, non-aggressive, and have up to date rabies tags or a certificate to register for the “Paws in the Park” activities.

For more information on these and other great upcoming Knightdale NC Events, visit the town’s website at knightdalenc.gov. To get more information on all the great things going on at Knightdale Station, including new homes and lot pricing, visit knightdalestation.com.